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November 22, 2013

Happy Weekend

01/ Even Ken and Barbie have a less than perfect life together, In the Dollhouse.
02/ A serpentine pedestrian bridge to be built in Changsha, China
03/ Tissue Animals brings tissue paper creatures to life with stop motion animation.
04/ 3,000 slats of wood form a maze/fence in Copenhagen for Trylletromler.
05/ The Kelpies tower over the Forth & Clyde canal in Falkirk, Scotland.
06/ Would you take a spin on the Swing at the End of the World?
07/ An entire alphabet on the wings of butterflies!
08/ Into the Mirror is a fashion shoot with an extra artsy twist.
09/ There are several way to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines, pick one and do it.
10/ Drinking your tea is lame, try inhaling it at The Breathable Tea Room.

This week on Design Crush:
Have you entered our awesome giveaway with Imm Living?! DO IT.
Twelve of the best DIYs from November. For you to create during all that time you don’t have.
Loving Grandiflora, a new shop on the home scene!
Tips&Tricks for entertaining this holiday season and throughout the year.
The ultimate warm weather wear roundup – including coats, hats, scarves, and mittens!
Five of my favorite art prints as of late.
The search for the perfect Christmas cookies. I’ve narrowed it down to 8!
We’ve started our coverage of holiday cards with part 1.
And we’ve continued 2014 calendars with part 4!

Posted In collaboration/project, create, do good, food, happy weekend, illustration, installation, photography, sculpture, video

November 21, 2013

Holiday Cards – Part 1

Because Thanksgiving is falling so close to the end of November this year, it really feels (to me) like I’m rolling out holiday coverage early. I’m so thrown off, it seems like we’re going to carve the turkey and Christmas is going to be the very next week! Which is also why I wrote out my holiday cards last week. There are so many incredibly designed/illustrated/written creations that I thought it was high time to start passing them your way.

1. Holiday Paint Card Set – Yellow Owl Workshop 2. Joy to the World – Sycamore Street Press 3. Season’s Greetings Dots – Happy Cactus Designs 4. A Very Merry Christmas – 1canoe2 5. Set of 14 Christmas Cards – House That Lars Built 6. Mid-Century Holiday Ornaments – Moxie House Paper Goods 7. Pop, Fizz, Clink – Kate Spade New York 8. Mulled Wine – memo 9. All is Calm. All is Bright. – Prickle Press 10. Jubilee Christmas Collection – Darling Clementine

Posted In cards, christmas, holidays, paper goods, round up

November 21, 2013

The Search for the Perfect Christmas Cookies

I was really excited when Bing asked me to partner with them to share the new Smart Search for Windows 8.1. I’ve always been a really visual person, which probably helps to explain why I’ve always worked in creative fields among other (more nerdy) things. It’s also why I love my job as an art and design blogger, but sometimes the internet doesn’t translate well for my type of folk. Smart Search is an entirely visual search that shows you a clean, graphic view of information from across the web – right up my alley. You can use it to check out the weather, get directions, or like me… find the perfect Christmas cookies!

One of my pet peeves about recipes in general is when no photo is attached. How do I know what the end result is supposed to look like?! Is this chocolatey blob accurate? Well, Smart Search eliminates that problem completely. I can now find the cookies that I’ll make to take home with me to my Grandma’s for the holidays by what looks most delicious. (All of them, obviously.)

It was no easy task, but after a major search I narrowed down the results to these eight. And I still need to take that down further, because my 89-year-old Grandma and I have an agreement that we’ll each make two kinds. (Though she’s such a cheater.) Which two get your votes?

Clockwise from top: Almond Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies by Running to the Kitchen // Amaretti by gnom gnom // Caramel Apple Cookies by Bakers Royale // Lemon Sugar Cookie Sandwiches by I Am Baker // Meringues with Rhubarb Curd and Rosehip by The Vanilla Bean Blog // Orange and Ricotta Crackle Cookies by Cook Republic // Pumpkin Shortbread by Cookies & Cups // Sweet Potato Ginger Cookies by Quick & Easy Recipes

This post was created in partnership with Bing. With a type or a swipe you can search the web, the cloud, apps, and your PC or tablet, all in one place using Bing Smart Search on Windows 8.1.

Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!

Posted In christmas, holidays, recipes, sponsored post

November 19, 2013

Tips&Tricks: Entertaining

Ready or not the holidays are just around the corner – that means digging out the good wine glasses, adding some festive decor to the house, and putting on your best hostess smile. Here are a few tips and tricks for entertaining that are sure to make any get together a little bit easier and a lot more impressive!

How much food and drink to serve at a party.

How to make a box cake taste homemade.

Great tips for throwing a shindig.

Secrets to making the best cocktail.

Five recipes for big batches of party cocktails.

Tips and tricks for hosting a cocktail party.

An entertaining guide for wine and cheese.

Choosing the best ice for cocktails.

How to stock a home bar.

How to make the perfect cheese plate.

Posted In entertaining, tips + tricks

November 19, 2013

Grandiflora

I’m so happy for fellow blogger Erin Souder of House of Earnest, after spending 8+ years as a product designer she’s stepped out on her own to create Grandiflora! The products are showcased in quarterly collections and sold in limited quantities that are created by an in-house team, and produced all over the world at some of the finest artisan facilities Erin has found over the course of her career. Her impeccable taste is evident and her eye for trends spot on. Here are my favorite pieces from Grandiflora’s inaugural collection – the Kira Striped Towels, the Asta Rug, and the Clovis Nutcracker.

Posted In house and home

November 18, 2013

November DIYs

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

Posted In accessories, christmas, entertaining, gifts, holidays, house and home, kids, kitchen, lighting, make it, storage, walls

November 18, 2013

imm Living (+ a Giveaway)

White accessories are some of my favorite to add to my home, they add so much personality without the clutter. A few weeks ago Imm Living asked me to choose some of my favorite pieces from their collection to style for their Choo Choo Chooses campaign and I jumped at the chance. Imm is the absolute king of white and one of the best at marrying playfulness and functionality in their accessories.

I immediately gravitated towards the Socialites. Both of their hats can be removed to stash little collections, but I think I’ll be using them as occasional vases for seasonal flowers and greenery this holiday season.

I fell fast for the King’s Subject Containers, namely the hippo with the sweet little bird perched upon his nose. Right now he’s hard at work with a nosegay of wildflowers on my coffee table, but I’m also looking forward to putting him to work holding my favorite pens. I love how imm’s pieces lend themselves to multiple uses!

I’ve been searching for just the right cake plate for some time now, and knew I’d found it when I saw the horse head Takes the Cake Plate! I can’t wait to serve hors d’oeuvres and other treats to guests atop his majestic head, but rather than put this guy behind closed doors in the cupboard I’ve decided to place him front and center on my dining table to collect keys, sunglasses, etc.

This gold Lucky Break Wishbone Wall Hook was a no-brainer, as I’m forever searching for ways to organize my necklaces and to keep them from tangling with one another. I also wouldn’t mind the little bit of luck it might bring!

That’s right, you have a chance to win all five pieces! And one last little surprise, Burke Decor has partnered with Imm Living and is offering you all 15% off storewide (including Imm Living), just enter the code IMMLIVING15 during checkout. Time to start crossing those holiday gifts off your list! You can also like Imm Living on Facebook for the latest updates!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Caitlin!

To Enter:
1. In the comments section below, tell me your favorite item from my picks above!
2. Leave a valid email address in the form (for notification purposes).
3. Do it all before Sunday, November 23, 2013 at 11:59pm CST.

Giveaway Rules + Disclosures.

Posted In accessories, house and home, kitchen, win it

November 15, 2013

Happy Weekend

01/ Last Supper, notebook illustrations of characters sitting down for a meal.
02/ The Gooyesh Language Institute in Iran is made entirely of letters!
03/ Door to Hell is an aptly named crater in Turkmenistan that’s been burning for 40 years.
04/ The super expressive face of Jazzy the border collie.
05/ The art of smoke bombs and fireworks.
06/ Athlete compares the vastly different body types of Olympic athletes.
07/ Sad/creepy abandoned Santa parks of the world.
08/ Bring the beach indoors with this incredible surfboard table and benches!
09/ A super fun play net creates a kids’ reading level in a library.
10/ Party cheat sheets full of infographics for holiday event planning.

This week on Design Crush:
Listen to November’s Mix #30: I’m Waiting Here.
Plenty of 2014 calendars for you to choose from in Part 2 + Part 3 of our roundups.
Get a head start on your holiday entertaining with this fantastic giveaway from B by Brandie!
Sweater weather is here and we’ve shared 12 of our favorites.
I’m not hosting this year, but here’s my imaginary Thanksgiving 2013!
These Leaf Rugs also double as blankets.
Crazy layered acrylic paintings from Yago Hortal.
It’s time to think about advent calendar prep – here are 14 that are great!

Posted In christmas, collaboration/project, create, entertaining, food, grand design, happy weekend, holidays, house and home, illustration, installation, kitchen, photography, wood

November 14, 2013

Advent Calendar Prep

After yesterday’s imaginary Thanksgiving festivities it’s time to look a bit ahead and talk advent calendars, one of my favorite holiday traditions! Did you grow up with the daily anticipation of one? I think I’ve had every kind under the sun and moon, so we’re sharing a variety of handmade and store-bought because sometimes making your own just isn’t feasible. (Especially with Thanksgiving falling so late in the month this year!) I’m thinking of going a bit non-traditional this year with one of the candle versions, I always have one burning and love the idea it.

ROW 1: Advent Calendar – Ferm Living // Advent Calendar Votive Set – Terrain // Printable Pyramid Advent Calendar – A Subtle Revelry ROW 2: DIY Advent Calendar – Living at Home Handmade // All Shapes and Sizes Countdown Calendar – The Land of Nod // DIY Advent Calendar – Inspired to Share ROW 3: Advent in a Jar – Poppytalk // DIY Advent Pack – Lapin & Me ROW 4: Modern Advent Calendar Printable – J Hill Design // Paris Advent Calendar – Nouveau Designs // Vintage Style Advent Calendar – vontagemodernmix ROW 5: Present Countdown Calendar – The Land of Nod // Advent Candle – Blackballoon // Printable Advent Calendar – Ordinarily Aimee

Posted In christmas, holidays

November 13, 2013

Leaf Rugs

These beautifully inspired Leaf Rugs from VIVIDGREY pull double duty as rugs or throws which only makes me want to own one (or three to layer) all the more. Each one is dyed and manufactured from organic linen canvas and stuffed with pure organic cotton sourced from an Indian fairtrade cooperative. And all of the textured lines are hand-drawn without a pattern, making each piece unique!

Posted In accessories, floors, house and home